With 15 2/3 straight innings without a run, Aaron Ashby is rewriting the postseason bullpen playbook for the Brewers.
Key points
- Aaron Ashby has logged 15 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings in the 2026 postseason, the second‑longest start in MLB history.
- His multi‑inning relief appearances have directly contributed to wins in the NLDS, NLCS and World Series, earning both saves and a win.
- Brewers manager Pat Murphy describes Ashby’s usage as unconventional and comparable to historic relievers like Goose Gossage.
Aaron Ashby entered the final outs of Game 2 of the World Series for the Milwaukee Brewers, sealing a 5‑4 win that gave the club a 2‑0 series lead. According to CBS Sports, Ashby’s postseason line now reads 15 2/3 innings, five hits, zero runs, three walks and 17 strikeouts – a stretch that ranks among the longest scoreless starts in MLB playoff history.
The article notes that the only longer postseason streak belongs to Andrew Miller’s 16‑inning run in 2016, with Ashby edging past Andy Hawkins (15 1/3 innings, 1981) and Goose Gossage (14 1/3 innings, 1984). In the regular season, Ash posted a 3.12 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP, but his playoff dominance has exceeded those numbers dramatically.
A historic postseason run
Ashby’s impact has been felt at every playoff stage. In the NLDS, he retired all four Padres batters in a tie game (Game 1) and preserved a walk‑off win in Game 2. During the NLCS, he delivered two‑inning, one‑run‑lead holds in Game 1, a five‑out save in Game 2, and a three‑inning save in the clinching Game 4, earning the win and the National League pennant.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy praised the left‑hander after Game 2, saying, “He does what it takes. It’s unconventional – multiple innings in relief. It’s Goose Gossage‑like. Sometimes you make mistakes, sometimes you go with it.” Murphy’s comments underscore the team’s willingness to deviate from traditional closer usage in favor of Ashby’s versatility.
Key moments from NLDS to the World Series
Milwaukee’s bullpen depth, combined with a rotation of “extremely talented young arms,” has allowed the Brewers to rely heavily on Ashby’s multi‑inning relief. While the club does not dominate home‑run statistics, its timely hitting and strong bullpen have propelled it to the brink of a championship, with Ashby positioned as one of the most effective postseason relievers in recent memory.
Reader questions
How many scoreless innings has Aaron Ashby pitched in the 2026 postseason?
According to CBS Sports, Ashby has thrown 15 2/3 innings without allowing a run.
How does Ashby’s streak compare to historic postseason records?
His streak trails Andrew Miller’s 16 innings in 2016 but surpasses Andy Hawkins (15 1/3 innings, 1981) and Goose Gossage (14 1/3 innings, 1984).
What role has Ashby played for the Brewers in the playoffs?
He has been used in multiple‑inning relief situations, earning both wins and saves while preserving leads in the NLDS, NLCS and World Series.
Source: cbssports.com
